Harold Bratcher has served the Lord in the Amazon Valley since July 15, 1959. His dear wife Marie, faithfully served with him for 52 years until her death in February 2011. The Bratchers organized over 20 Baptist churches and many other missions in Brazil, and he currently serves at the 24th of March Baptist Church in Manaus.

January 7, 2013

Dear Brothers of the Blessed Lord and Sisters of the Savior:

Once again I greet you not from the Amazon Valley of Brazil, South America, but from my cold Kentucky home where the sun is shining bright!

This Mission Sheets month began December 6th and finishes today, January 7th..  During this period I preached 2 sermons, one at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church in the interior town of the Vila do Engenho and the other one at the 14th of December Baptist Church in Manaus. These were special farewell services.

During this period I heard a total of 7 sermons preached at 6 different places.  One was at the New Jerusalem Church, on Saturday night the 8th.  The Church was celebrating their 18th anniversary.  The three Sunday nights were at the Compensa Baptist Church where the president of the Brazilian Baptist Faith Missions, Bro. Ortan Barbosa is pastor, twice, and once at the Liberdade Baptist Church.

The last Wednesday night in Manaus, heard a sermon by evangelist Alessandro Braz of the 24th of March Baptist Church.  On the first Wednesday of this year, I heard a sermon by the Assistant Pastor of the Porter Memorial Baptist Church, where I attended with our dear friends, Steve and Eva Blake.  They have been a blessing to us in many ways already!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of hearing dear pastor Mickey Hyder at the 212 year old Historic David’s Fork Baptist Church.

On Friday, December 15th, we attended the third of five special farewell services.  This one was at the Mount of Olives Baptist where almost 300 people representing all of the churches of the BBFM gathered to honor our missionary labors for the Savior.  Very emotional and inspiring service.  On Saturday the 16th, was the official farewell at the 24th of March Baptist Church where I served the last 12 years as pastor.  They also honored me with a church wide supper.  On Sunday morning, the 17th, attended the special farewell Breakfast and service at the Communion Baptist Church.

On Saturday night, the 29th, I left my home of exactly 47 years to begin our trip back to the States, after serving the Savior in Brazil for 52 and a half years.  There were over 120 of our brethren from several churches there to see us off.  I feel that in the past 3 weeks, I was probably one of the most photographed men in Brazil. We appreciate so much all the expressions of love and gratitude we received during these last 3 weeks. We left with mixed emotions, but with a profound sense of Mission Accomplished.  To God Be the Glory, great things HE hath done!

After a safe trip and blessed trip with layovers in Miami and Dallas, we arrived at 6:30pm, at Bluegrass Field in Lexington.  We were met by Carolyn Sue Bratcher, who was a blessing to us during this first week home.

On New Years Day we traveled in her car to Frankfort to my Brother Charlie’s home where we had a Delicious Dinner.

I conclude this letter asking that you pray for our future plans.  We hope to soon move into the BFM Mission house in Lexington KY, while we await the sale of my house in Manaus, or the financing to go through to purchase one here.  We have purchased a good car, thanks to the help of Bro. Glen Cummins in Richmond, Ky.

I hope to be a blessing to many of you, during this first year of my permanent furlough.  I would like to report and thank each of you that have supported us during these past years.

Until next month.

Yours in the Service of the Savior,

Harold Bratcher

1012 Balsam Drive
Lexington, KY 40504
(859) 277-3716
(859) 806-9827 cell
harold_bratcher[at]yahoo.com

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